Master of Arts in New Media - Game Design and Production

Aalto University

Master of Arts in New Media - Game Design and Production

Are you interested in learning game design and production with leading professionals in an international atmosphere? Game Design and Production is a Major Subject within the Master’s Programme in New Media focusing on game design for interactive digital media. The education is project-oriented and provides a unique possibility for developing game design skills while also building conceptual understanding on games. You will deepen your skills based on a personal study plan. Multidisciplinarity is emphasized by the highly diverse backgrounds of students – one can apply with any Bachelor’s degree, and the students include programmers, 3D artists, animators, creative writers, architects, and even psychologists. The teacher network includes top game industry professionals and game scholars. The programme is taught in English, and students can write their thesis in Finnish, Swedish or English.

Learning outcomes

The core competences which the students will develop are design, project management, prototyping, research, teamwork skills, and deeper skills in their own area of game design and productio

As a graduate you have

understanding of games as systems,

ability to take a key part in a game production group,

understanding of the different competences needed in game production and

capability to critically analyse and develop established traditions

Studies can be complemented with courses from related fields such as 3D animation, interactive storytelling and interaction design. The Major Subject provides an excellent basis for an international career. A significant number of the department’s students, teachers and researchers are from abroad. Students and researchers are encouraged to network internationally and have an option to spend a part of their studies abroad.

Career opportunities

The game industry is an exciting and growing field. You can find careers in game design, game programming, game art, game production, game scriptwriting and game research, depending on your study choices. Entrepreneurial skills can also be gained, e.g., through minor subject studies in the university-wide Aalto Ventures Program. Many students have started their own game companies, and all graduates will have completed projects in their portfolio.

The graduates are independent professionals who have the capacity to lead and manage the development of their professional field internationally. The curriculum of the programme is being developed in cooperation with other academic institutions and the industry, which supports the students' career planning. The Master's Theses of the students are being co-advised by external experts from the academia and the private sector.

Admission procedure and criteria

The selection happens through the Aalto ARTS master's students admission process. We seek candidates who already possess advanced skills in one or more aspects of game creation (e.g., design, programming, animation or 3d modeling), and have a passion to both deepen and broaden their knowledge. The application process consists of three steps: a written application which describes your background, experience and motivation, followed by a set of assignments and finally, an interview, which also includes a portfolio pitch.

Game Design and Production Major applicants should have

strong professional interest towards game design and/or game production

insight into new media design and game related research

some proven design competence

fluent English (oral / written)

Relevant former studies and working experience is appreciated, as well as hobby projects and game related activities.

If you are applying with a programming background, you can also consider our MSc Major in Game Design and Production (link) which works in very close collaboration with our Major.